As the bus departed, the interior filled with a mix of lively chatter, singing, and the soft breathing of those who had already dozed off. Some students gazed out the windows at the passing scenery, while Mr. Hoshino sat near the front, scrolling through reels on his phone and muttering irritably under his breath about the excessive noise.
One of the girls retrieved a portable microphone and began singing "Tangerine Pop," a popular track by the renowned K-pop group PRISMA-X. Her classmates cheered and clapped along enthusiastically. Abruptly, Mr. Hoshino raised his voice: "Can't you all remain quiet? And stop singing that ridiculous song!" He turned his attention forward once more, leaving the students in stunned silence as they processed his sudden outburst.
Dave broke the quiet tension by leaning toward Michi. "Hey, princess, how about a game of truth or dare?"
Michi responded sharply, "I've told you repeatedly—stop calling me princess. And I have no interest in your childish games." She turned away, visibly annoyed.
Hensudo grinned and commented to Dave, "It's obvious, bro—she's not interested in you. Ha ha!"
Dave shot Hensudo a sidelong warning glance and whispered, "She is interested; she just hasn't realized it yet."
Michi overheard and retorted, "Hensudo is correct—I completely agree with him."
Dave adjusted his position on the seat and murmured again, "For sure, princess."
Saki let out a soft chuckle at the exchange. Yudashi's blush deepened noticeably. Dave gave a low whistle and stretched his arms forward lazily.
Hours passed in relative quiet, broken only by the occasional snore from sleeping students.
Saki eventually drifted off to sleep. Hensudo nudged Yudashi. "Switch seats with me—I want the window."
Yudashi agreed without protest. As they exchanged places, the bus hit a small bump. Saki's head tilted and came to rest gently on Yudashi's shoulder. He tensed at the unexpected contact but made no move to disturb her. Hensudo coughed deliberately—loud enough to rouse Saki. She awoke, realized where her head had been resting, and quickly pulled away, cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
Michi gave Saki a gentle, teasing nudge. Dave whistled softly once more. Hensudo struggled to contain his laughter before finally bursting out and offering Dave a quick high-five.
Mr. Hoshino's voice rang out again, berating them for the disturbance. The sharp reprimand woke several other students.
Soon afterward, the bus arrived at its destination. The students disembarked, many stretching their limbs after the long journey. Mr. Hoshino stepped out first and instructed everyone to form a single-file line. The group complied and followed him toward the entrance.
At the gate of the Neuro-Cloud Observatory stood several uniformed workers on patrol. One approached Mr. Hoshino, handed him a document, and waited while he signed it. The gate was then opened, granting them entry.
The class proceeded into the observatory's residential wing, where they would be accommodated during their stay. A woman with a neat white bob haircut approached and began distributing packages to each student. Standing at the front, she explained clearly: "Each package contains two sets of uniforms, which you are required to wear during your time here, along with a rule book and identification cards."
Mr. Hoshino added firmly, "Change into your uniforms and be ready within thirty minutes. I expect everyone assembled and presentable by 11:40 a.m. sharp. Is that understood?"
The students nodded and dispersed to change.
Shortly thereafter, the class reassembled in a neat line, now dressed in the provided observatory uniforms.
Dave leaned toward Michi and whispered, "You look quite pretty, princess."
Michi turned sharply. "I've told you—stop calling me princess!"
Dave placed a hand dramatically over his heart. "I'm merely stating the truth."
"Your 'truth' is nonsense," Michi replied dryly.
At that moment, Yudashi accidentally bumped into Saki while adjusting his stance. Hensudo nudged Dave and whispered, "Yudashi is being extra obvious today. Should we expose him to Saki?"
Dave nodded in agreement. Hensudo stepped toward Saki and began, "Saki—"
Before he could continue, one of the female staff members interrupted, staring at Saki in visible shock. "You're Saki? You're... alive?"
Saki did not recognize the woman but nodded slowly in confusion.
Two guards quickly escorted the woman away, one offering Saki a brief apology on her behalf. Saki, still bewildered, nodded again.
"What was that about?" Yudashi asked quietly.
"I've seen her before, but I can't remember where," Saki replied.
Dave intervened lightly. "Okay, okay—let's not get too serious now."
Yudashi shot Dave an irritated glance, as though Dave had deliberately interrupted his moment. Dave smirked and stuck out his tongue playfully in response.
Michi walked ahead. Saki remained lost in thought, trying to place the woman. After a moment, recognition dawned. "Yes—I remember her now!"
Hensudo turned. "Really? Who is she?"
"She was—" Saki began.
Mr. Hoshino's voice cut in sharply. "Class, proceed inside the laboratory—quietly and in an orderly manner."
The group followed a scientist through the facility. Various experiments glowed with soft, ethereal light. Saki leaned toward Michi and whispered, "It feels strangely familiar... as though I've seen all of this before, but the memory is unclear."
Michi whispered back, "Perhaps you visited here as a child?"
Saki nodded thoughtfully. Mr. Hoshino glanced back and signaled for silence.
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